Sturgeon hits out at Scots troops cuts

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has written to UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, voicing concerns after reports of a cut in the number of MoD troops set to be stationed in Scotland.

In 2011, the UK Government said up to 7000 personnel returning from Germany would be based in Scotland and announced plans for a new “super barracks” at Kirknewton. But the SNP believes that number will be reduced when the UK basing plan is unveiled this week.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Scotland has already been disproportionately affected by the defence cuts, and despite suggestions that there would be an increase of between 5000 and 7500 in the number of army personnel based here, we now hear those commitments will not be met and that any increase may be limited to only a few hundred army personnel.”